To have food and dining items happening in Fairfax listed free, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, or fax to 703-917-0991, or e-mail maweber@connectionnewspapers.com.
Dante Ristorante's net-connecting luncheon features local author Mary Foley discussing “Bodacious Women in History.” The luncheons are an informal way to bring together business people in the area, hear an interesting speaker and enjoy lunch. Wednesday, March 5, from 12:30-2 p.m. Dante's is at the intersection of Colvin Run Road and Walker Road in Great Falls. $25.
Equality Fairfax is sponsoring Food and Friends' annual Dining Out for Life fund-raiser to be held Thursday evening, March 13. Five Fairfax County restaurants are among over 100 metro-D.C. restaurants that will donate a portion of their proceeds from lunch or dinner on March 13. Visit www.diningoutforlife.com and www.foodandfriends.org for more information. Equality Fairfax is seeking volunteers to serve as ambassadors at the local participating restaurants. E-mail volunteer@equalityfairfax.org or call 703-255-1552 for more information. Equality Fairfax is a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and advocacy organization.
Piano bar is back with the new music club Opus 88, featuring a piano man with a repertoire of standards, classics and favorites. The club is open Tuesday through Saturday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m.; pianist Michael Terrence performs 7:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Located in Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Drive. 703-761-5151.
McLean Starbucks offers a Home Brewing Seminar to share its expertise with customers. Thursday, March 6, 7 p.m., at 1438 Chain Bridge Road in McLean.
Wine-Tasting Dinner at Dante Ristorante, Friday, March 14, at 7 p.m. Wines from the Piedmont region of Italy will accompany quails wrapped with puff pastry served with julienne of vegetables. $75. R.S.V.P. by March 13 to Chris Geno at 703-759-3131. The restaurant is at the intersection of Colvin Run Road and Walker Road in Great Falls, just off Route 7.
Barrel Tasting is one of the biggest events of the year at Tarara in Leesburg, as the winery welcomes visitors to sample wines right out of the barrel. At wineries, barrel tasting is always a big deal, but this spring’s celebration at Tarara is going to be even bigger and better than ever!
Daniel Alcorso, Tarara’s Australian winemaker, will be guiding participants through the tasting of the varietals from the 2002 vintage against Tarara’s barrel-aged wines on March 8. Participants will sample newly fermented wines from French, American and Hungarian oak barrels, and they will discover that oak does make a difference. American oak tends to have more of a vanilla flavor and more coarse tannins, while European oak tends to have spicy aromas such as clove, cinnamon, cedar and chocolate.
During this twice-a-year event, the winery, located in a 6,000-square-foot cave, will be transformed with candlelight, white linen, live music, gourmet fare and wines-in-the-making sampled from the barrels.
The Bailiwick Inn, 4023 Chain Bridge Road in the City of Fairfax, hosts the following events:
(1) Wine Master Dinner featuring Newton Vineyard in Napa, Calif. The winery is situated in cellars hollowed out of the hillside, reminiscent of the caves in Champagne. $114 per person in advance, $119 on the day. $25 deposit required to reserve. Thursday, March 20, 7-10 p.m. Reserve at 703-691-2266. (2) Murder Mystery Weekend. A six-course dinner, a deluxe room, afternoon tea, cocktails, open bar, dinner with wines, after-dinner drinks, gourmet breakfast with Bloody Marys and mimosas. As the play unfolds the six actors melt and merge with the guests. $559 fully inclusive for two on Saturday, March 22. Check-in is at 2 p.m., afternoon tea begins 4:30 p.m. Check-out noon on Sunday. Reserve at 703-691-2266.